NEWCASTLE’S French revolution is to continue after Alan Pardew won the battle for Rennes midfielder Sylvain Marveaux.

The 25-year-old will formally complete a Bosman free transfer move to St James’ Park on July 1 after signing a five-year deal.

Marveaux had been heavily tipped to head for Liverpool this summer, although the move had broken down because of a problem with his medical.

The former France Under-21 international has been out of action since November with a groin injury suffered during a 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Brest.

However, the Magpies carried out their own checks and are confident that will not be an issue, and have snapped up their third close-season signing.

Pardew said: “It’s a great coup to have signed Sylvain, who has received interest from a number of other clubs.

“He may not be well known to many of our fans, but he is a real talent and a player we have been keeping an eye on for some time.”

Marveaux is a left-sided midfielder and the third Frenchman recruited to the Newcastle engine room in the last year or so after Hatem Ben Arfa and recent signing Yohan Cabaye.

Confirmation of his capture comes after the Magpies unveiled Senegal striker Demba Ba as their second summer arrival, following in Cabaye’s wake.

His signing will help to offset the loss of skipper Kevin Nolan, who joined West Ham in a move understood to amount to £4m on Thursday, while Alan Smith has also been told he can leave.

With Joey Barton having been informed that he will not be offered a new contract, there is a school of thought which suggests he too will be sold this summer rather than be allowed to leave for free when his current deal expires in 12 months’ time.

Newcastle’s swoop for Marveaux has come somewhat under the radar with speculation this week linking them with the likes of Bayer Leverkusen’s Tranquillo Barnetta and St Etienne’s Blaise Matuidi, both players in whom they have had an interest, though it remains to be seen how strong that interest is.

However, chief scout Graham Carr has made a detailed study of the talent available in Europe and having achieved such success with former FC Twente midfielder Cheick Tiote last season, the Magpies will hope for a similar return.

Pardew is also edging closer to completing a move for Swansea full-back Neil Taylor, while Ba’s arrival is unlikely to end his search for strikers with Leon Best and Nile Ranger both surplus to requirements.